1 John 2:4
The sermon emphasizes that true knowledge of God is evidenced by obedience to His commandments, contrasting it with false claims of faith.
John Gill emphasizes the importance of aligning one's actions with their professed knowledge of God, warning against the hypocrisy of claiming to know Him while disregarding His commandments. He critiques those who, like the Gnostics, boast of spiritual enlightenment yet fail to demonstrate obedience, revealing their true ignorance. Gill asserts that true knowledge of God is evidenced by a life of obedience, and without this, one is a liar and lacks the truth of the Gospel in their heart.
Text
Ver. 4. He that saith I know him,.... God or Christ, as the Gnostics did, who pretended to great, even perfect, knowledge of divine things:
and keepeth not his commandments; which the above persons had no regard to, and as many who profess great light and knowledge in our days show no concern for:
is a liar; he contradicts what he says, and gives the lie to it; for though in words he professes to know God, in works he denies him, and which betrays his ignorance of him:
and the truth is not in him; there is no true knowledge of God and Christ in him; nor is the truth of the Gospel in his heart, however it may be in his head; nor is the truth of grace in him, for each of these lead persons to obedience. The Ethiopic version renders it, "the truth of God is not with him"; See Gill on "1Jo 1:8".
Sermon Outline
-
I
- Understanding Knowledge of God
- The Gnostic Perspective
- Modern Implications
-
II
- The Importance of Obedience
- Contradictions in Faith
- The Role of Commandments
-
III
- Identifying a True Believer
- The Nature of Lies in Faith
- The Absence of Truth
-
IV
- The Heart vs. Head Knowledge
- Grace and Obedience Connection
- Living Out the Gospel
Key Quotes
“He that saith I know him... is a liar.” — John Gill
“Though in words he professes to know God, in works he denies him.” — John Gill
“The truth is not in him.” — John Gill
Application Points
- Reflect on your own understanding of God and how it influences your daily actions.
- Examine areas in your life where you may be professing faith without corresponding obedience.
- Commit to aligning your knowledge of God with practical expressions of faith through obedience.